Automobile lock



Patented Dee. 1i, iezs.

DEVILLE S, HERSHEY, OF CHICAGO, ILILLTNOIEVASSIGNOR 'IO BEERSHEY MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F COLORADO.

i Aproivroernn. LoonV Application filed April 12,

This invention relates to a lock adapted especially for automobiles, 'and is designed particularly for association with one of the operating units thereof.A It may bel connected with a. steering mechanism, a change speed mechanism, a4 motor ignition circuit, or any other unit or system whose operation is required in the use of thevehicle.

The embodiment of my invention herein shown and described includes a switch'which may be interposed in the motor ignition circuitl Y Such a switch is designed to be opened, 'thereby rendering 'the motor inoperative, whenever the lock is operated to interfere with use of an associated mechanism.

The present invention embodies certain improved features in t-he connection between the lck and switch by which a. two-stage operation is effected, i. e., the switch may be opened in advance of actuation ofthe lock, whereby the motor lonly is disabled, or, by continuing further the movement of the parts, the lock is actuated, the ignition circuit remaining open throughout this last movement stage. In this manner I provide for a selective operation such that either the motor alone, o-r the motor and steering together, may be rendered inoperative My invention is accordingly concerned with a combined lock and switchhaving the characteristics-noted, and also with various other objects and purposes which will hereinafter appear.l

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the front side of the lock housing, showing in section the steering post and column which passes therethrough;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the lock taken on line 24-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a similar view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2; V

Fig. 4 which 'is a fragmentary view in elevation of the rear or under side of the .lock housing, shows the ignition switch movement thereon; j

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the switch moved to an oil position;

Fig. 6 which is a sectional detail similar to Fig. 2, shows the locking bolt as advanced to effective position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to' Fig. 6', showing the control for the locking bolt as moved through the first stage of its cycle; and

1926. Serial N0. 101,300.

Fig. A84 is `a sectionaldetail taken on line tie-8 of Fig. 6.' 5

The presenty lo may be contained within a housing A through which isan opening for accommodating@ comme B within 'which is extended apost C connecting a' steering wheel with the swiveled running Wheels, usually at the front of'an automobile. Secured fast to the post is a collar D having therein a groove 4 or socket 9which may be brought into register with an opening` formed in the column.

An attaching plate E having one edge receivable within a slot injthe'housing may be connected thereto ywith the' aid of screws 10, and serves as a medium for securing the lock housing to a fixed part of an automobileits instrument board for example.

The locking mechanism herein shown includes a bolt 1l adapted to be pro-'ected through the column into the socket Qlso as to lock'the steering post against. rotation.

his bolt is yieldingly associated with a hollow plunger 12 wherein is accommodated a coiled spring 13 which bears with pressure against one end of the bolt. The outward mt vement of this bolt, relative to the plunger, may be arrested byV any suitable means. second spring 1 4; exerts an opposite force on the plunger such as to retract the same whenever conditions will permit.

" Associated with the plunger is a lcontrol means for the locking bolt. As shown, this ycomprises a lever or handle 15 which is eX- 20 a shoulder-,Which acts as a stop to prevent movement of the rock shaft past the point which is indicated in Fig. 6. The retention of the ,rock shaft .in the normal position of the parts is assured by a spring detent 21 which-is presed into a'hole or socket 22 (see Fig. 3).

An annular groove 23 may be provided aroundl the plunger as shown. Intersecting this 4groove is a longitudinally movable safety pin 24C having an operating head 25 exteriorly of the housing. As by means `of a spring ico 26, the pin is normally' projected outwardly, v

. ally to the curvature of the plunger. With the parts relatedas in Fig. 2, the pin stands in its normal outer position where it acts to interfere with the longitudinal movement of the plunger. If the pin be pressed inwardly,

however, its arc-shaped cut will be so related to the surface of the plunger as to permit the latten-to advance. It may be desired additionally to positively prevent movement of the locking bolt until after the rock shaft has been turned a definite distance, in which case a late 28 is-eXt-ended laterally from the shaft l in suoli manner as to lie in the movement path of the locking pin when 'the parts are in the normal position of Figs. 3 and 4.

'. lrVith the rock shaft moved toa second position, as in Fig. 5, this plate is moved out of the way of the locking pin, permittingA its operation in the manner just described.

The operation of the lock may be controlled by any suitable key mechanism. For this purpose I prefer the use of a .cylinder lock 30 operable with the aid of a removable key l3l. Atthe rear end of the lock cylinder, I

have shown a wire spring 32 coiled one or more times about a fixed pin 33 so as to present one of its arms 34 adjacent a lug 35 which is carried by the cylinder. A pin 36 which er has advanced to locking position that this l pin may enter the annulus to hold the bolt is disposed transversely of the plunger is engaged by the wire 34 in such manner as to be normally projected into the annular groove 23 of the plunger. It is only when the plungagainst retraction. At all other times the pin bears against the periphery of the plunger 1n such manner as to permit a forward of the handle 15. l i Associated with a lock of the general charmovement thereof in response to actuation acter described, is a switch which mayl be interposed in an electrical circuit-the'motor ignition circult, for example. Such a switch is preferablyv carried on the under side of the lock housing. As shown, it comprises an insulated block 37 on which are mounted pair of spaced conductor plates 38 eachA of Iwhich terminates in a spring brush 39 bearing against the periphery of a disk 40 of insulating `material. Extended diametrically across the face of the disk is a bar 4l having its ends 42 downturned over the disk edges, and preferably inset in flush relation therewith. Bearing upon thecen- 'y ter of the bar is a spring tongue 43 which extends from a plate 44 also mounted on the block 37. Associated with the two plates 38 are terminals 45, a terminal 46 is also connected with the plate 44, and to each of these three plates may be connected electrical con ductors (not shown) forming part of a threewire circuit. In the disk edges may be the disk is rotatably disl suring operation of the electrical apparatus connected therewith. If the rock shaft be rota ed to the position of Fig. 7, there will ben advance ofthe locking bolt or its associate turned to the olf position of Fig. 5. The circuit is now open in this first stage of thelock operation whereby the motor or other associated apparatus is disabled. If the rock shaft be further moved to the position shown in Fig. 6, the locking bolt will be projected tothe point where, it may interfere with steering movements, and in this second stage of the lock movements the disk acts to hold open the circuit whereby the motor or other associated apparatus remains disabled.

The first stage of the lock operation, as just described, is reached without any Ainterference on the part of the safety pin, vsince the plunger is not required to advance in any degree. At no time, while the switch remains closed, is it possible to advance the locking boltwherebyto disablethe steering mechanism. This is due to the provision of the plate 28 which normally underlies the safety pin, its Withdrawal from effective posi- `tion taking place only when the rock shaft is first turned to break the electrical circuit. Before entering upon the second stage ofthe locking operation, however, the safety pin must be pushed in to release the plunger for movement. The advance of the locking bolt then results from further turning of the rock shaft whose final position is determined by 'engagement of its surface 18 with the stop shoulder 20, as indicated in Fig. 6.

In the use herein of the terms open and closed with referencesto a motor ignition circuit, I have in mind t-he system of ignition motor generally employed, but knowing that 8h A l plunger, but the switch will have been` magneto-equipped motors may be operated i on any open circuit, which is the reverse of the prevailing kind, I would have these terms properly interpreted to describe the true situation.' The various details of construction hereinbefore set forth are manifestly susceptible of embodiment in forms other; than the precise one shown, and any suchk modifications, in so far as they fall within the purview of the claims below, are to be c onsidered as .within the limits of my lnvention.

I claim: i 1. In a lock, the combination with an operating member, Ofa bolt mOvable into engagelso. i

ment with said member to oppose operation thereof, a control means for the bolt movable through a first portion of its cycle before, actuating the bolt, and a releasable stop for normally preventing movement of the bolt, said stopbeing releasable only when the control means has advanced through the first portion of its movement cycle, substantially as described. 1

2. In a lock, the combination with an operating member, of a bolt movable into engagement with said member to oppose operation thereof, a rock shafthaving two obtusely7 related surfaces adjacent the outer -bolt end whereon is provided a shoulder, and control means for turning the rock shaft whereby to advance the bolt, the rock shaft being movable through a portion of its cycle without advancing the bolt and then acting to project the bolt, one of said shaft surfaces being enga-geable Withthe shoulder to vdeter-mine t-he final position of the shaft, substantially as described.

In a lock, the combination with an operating member, of a bolt movable into'engagement with said member to oppose operation thereof, spring means tending to retract-the locking bolt, anda control means having two movements stages adapted in the second stage to advance the bolt against the tension of said spring means, substantially as described.

4.' Ina lock, the combination with an operating member, of a bolt movable into engagementl with said member to oppose operation thereof, a two-stagecontrol means for the bolt freely movable through thefiirst stage before advancing the bolt, a releasable stop for normally holding the bolt against movement, and means associated with the control means and co-operating with the stop4 to prevent actuation thereof until after the control means has moved into its first stage, substantially as described.

5. In a lock, the combination with an operating member of a bolt movable into engagement with said member-to oppose operation thereof, a rotatableA control means for the jbolt, a switch associated with said rotatable means comprising a disk, a pair of connected segments oppositely disposed on the disk edges, and a'pair of spring brushes bearing against the disk 'and completing an electrical cuit7 when engaged by the connected seg-' ments substantially as described. 7. In a lock, the combination with an operating member of abolt movable into engagement with said member to oppose operation thereof, a control means movable through two stages in the latter of which it actuates the bolt, stop means preventing'advance of the bolt until after the control means has been moved, and a switch associated with the controlmea'ns adapted to open an electrical circuit with movement of said control means through its first stage, substantially as described. y 1

8. In a lock, the combination with an operating member of a bolt movable into engagement Witlr said member to oppose opera-tion thereof, a rotatable control means for the bolt, a switch associated with said rotatable means comprising a disk, conductor l means carriedby the disk, and spaced brushes bearing against the disk and .completing an electrical' circuit when in engagement with said conductor means, substantially as described.

'9. In a lock, the combination with an operating member of a bolt movable into engagement with said member to oppose'rotation thereof, a rotatable control means for the bolt, a switch associated with said rotatable means comprising a disk, conductor means carried by the disk, and contacts with which said 'conductor means are engaged when the disk is ink one rotative position whereby to complete an electrical circuit, substantially as described.

Al0. In combination, a steering column lock for a motor vehicle comprising a casing surrounding said column provided'with an axially movable plunger, a lock controlled rotatable cam for causing axial movement of said plunger, a rotatable electric switch ele- 1 ment mounted in said casing having simultaneous rotative movement with said cam, and aV spring detent engageable with said switch element for resiliently retaining saidswitch element and said cam in a predetersecond-.timed position, substantially as described.

n 12. In a coincidental lock,'a slidable movl able locking member, an ignition circuit make and break mechanism, means for moving the locking member from locking position prior to the closing of the ignition circuit, and aumechanism to off position, said means also 'moving said locking member from looking position Without` rotating said make and break mechanism to on osition and auto- 4matically movable means for holding said locking member and make and break mechanisml in said last-named position, substantial- 1y as described. Y

14. In a coincidental lock, a slidably movable steering post locking bolt, a make and break mechanism for the ignition circuit comprising stationary members anda `rotatable contact member, means for 'slidabl'y moving said bolt to locking position androtatin'g said contact member to off position to open the ignition circuit, and for later moving said bolt'to unlocked position Without closing the ignition circuit, substantially 'as described.

15. In a coincidental lock, ya reoiprocable locking member, a rotatable ignition circuit make and break mechanism, means for .sliding said locking member to lockedv position and for rotatingthe make and break mechanism to off position, said means being 0perable to slide said locking member from locking 'position Without'rotating the make vand break mechanism to"on position, means lfor preventing the return `of said locking member -tolocked position, and further mean's for holding 'said make 'andbreak mechanism in off position with said locking member in the last-named position, substantially as described. y

16.In a coincidental'lock, a' reciprocable locking bolt, av rotatable make and break -mechanismor-the ignition circuit,- means for sliding said bolt to lockino position and rotating said mechanism to off positioirto open the ignitioncircuit, and for latersliding' said bolt to unlocked position Without clos-V mg the ignition circuit, substantiallyv as described. y AORVILILES. HERSHEY.

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